Buzzworthy

The 13 Best Natural & Clean Cleansing Balms  Written by: Alexandra Engler   Every skin care fanatic has a favorite step of their routine—the layer of the ritual that brings them the most joy.   And while I love the tender act of massaging in a dense face cream or slipping on an oil at night, there is nothing I appreciate more than washing my face. Yes, it's a semi-controversial skin care take (as controversial as those can be), but it's true: I love the ritual of cleaning my skin.   But face washes are a deceptively tricky category. For some time, the reigning options were of the strip-your-face variety. (You know the ones: Those sudsy numbers that left you feeling squeaky and dry.)But now, there are so many that experiment with textures, infuse deliciously hydrating actives, and elevate sensorial experiences—and finally, they're getting due attention.  There's no better example of this than the cleansing balm. (Even saying "cleansing balm" feels like slipping into a cashmere sweater.) The subcategory of face washes is marked by their thick, gel-cream texture and hydrating benefits; of course, there are subtle differences between them that make them unique, but that's the throughline.   Now, if all of the above has you thinking you need to get your hands on one, here are our favorites for you to try. Enjoy, won't you? John Masters Organics Cleansing Balm with Kokum Butter and Sea Buckthorn ($36) One of the reasons cleansing balms are so popular is because of their transforming textures. This one starts off as a solid (almost like a butter that you scoop out of the jar), then melts into an oil when applied to the face. As an oil, it's able to break up stubborn makeup on the skin. And for the grand finale? It slips into a milk when blended with water to rinse off your face.  

Taking the first steps to creating a more healthful, natural beauty routine can be intimidating. Here we’ve curated a list of three no-brainer swaps to help make your journey to a more natural beauty routine a cinch:  Hair spray             Although aerosols that contain ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have been banned since the ‘70s, modern aerosol sprays still use hydrocarbons and/or compressed gases that are notorious for their contribution to global warming. Every time you hit the nozzle on your favorite hair spray you simultaneously raise your carbon footprint. Make the swap and reach for our natural, USDA-certified organic Hair Spray that sprays with an ultra-fine mist. Its formula is powered with gentle ingredients like aloe vera and acacia senegal gum that give hair essential hold without drying it out or leaving a flaky residue.   Shampoo & Conditioner             Ironically, two products that are used to clean and nourish hair may actually contain some seriously dirty ingredients: harsh sulfate lathering agents, paraben preservatives, irritating fragrances, and damaging pthalates. These ingredients commonly cause skin irritations (such as rashes, eczema and acne), are potential hormone disruptors, and may be carcinogenic. Replace your conventional formulas with our naturally lathering Shampoos and intensely softening Conditioners for the healthiest hair and scalp you’ve ever had. Lip Balm             Your favorite lip balm may actually cause your lips to become drier over time. Petrolatum is a common ingredient found in conventional balms and is a by-product of petroleum jelly. Petroleum is a mixture of hydrocarbons and other chemicals from crude oil. Petroleum and its variations may make your lips feel temporarily moisturized because of its thick consistency that creates a protective barrier over the skin. However, this barrier can suffocate lips by blocking them from absorbing moisture from the atmosphere –– basically, your skin can’t breathe. Instead, opt for a balm formula that’s packed with skin-loving botanicals, oils, and butters that truly hydrate and nourish, such as our fan-favorite Lip Calm.              To learn more about ingredients that are never included in John Masters Organics formulations, check out our Absolutely Not List.

9 Best Organic Shampoos That Actually Work Written by: Lauren Balsamo   The biggest struggle when it comes to shopping for an organic shampoo? Finding one that's *truly* natural, not just marketed as such. Thanks to a lack of FDA regulation, beauty brands can label their products with terms like "organic" or "natural," even if the ingredients list is actually filled with questionable ingredients like parabens or formaldehyde releasers. Shitty, right? And because I know you don't have the time to do hours of research to find an organic shampoo that's legit, I've done the hard work for you. Below, nine organic shampoos that substitute controversial ingredients for natural ones while still getting your hair super clean—all without the junk.   Best Scalp-Friendly Organic Shampoo: John Masters Organics Scalp Stimulating Shampoo with Spearmint and Meadowsweet ($26)   Give your scalp some love and lather up with this organic shampoo once a week. It uses meadowsweet flower extract along with eucalyptus and spearmints oils to deep-clean your scalp, get rid of flakes and build-up, and balance sebum production so it doesn't get too dry or too oily. And the spearmint helps boost circulation too, which is key for creating a healthy environment for hair to grow.  

The results are in! Our Shampoo for Fine Hair won an O-Ward. The Oprah Magazine's 2019 winner for best Shampoo for Fine Hair. Shampoo for Fine Hair with Rosemary & Peppermint

“Organic oils and fruit extracts bestow the elegant sheen and soothing moisture you’d expect to find in the goopiest balm on the highest peak at the fanciest ski resort.” shop lip calm